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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Alexander Abnos

Pre-season friendlies in the US are a harbinger of football’s grueling future

Manchester United and Arsenal played in front of 60,000 fans at SoFi Stadium in California.
Manchester United and Arsenal played in front of 60,000 fans at SoFi Stadium in California. Composite: Guardian Picture Desk

On a sunny summer Saturday in Inglewood, California, two of the Premier League’s most historic rivals met on the pitch, and the biggest news had nothing to do with the score of the game. Rather, two key injuries for Manchester United (Rasmus Højlund and new addition Leny Yoro) drew headlines after Arsenal’s 2-1 win in which the London side’s two key Gabriels (Jesus and Martinelli) scored.

It is just pre-season. In all likelihood, the injuries were the biggest thing to come out of a game between these opponents in this location. But it may not be that way for much longer. Soon, games like this week’s Liverpool-Arsenal clash in Philadelphia or Chelsea-Man City in Columbus could actually have an impact on the league table.

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